Overview
- DoPT Secretary Rachna Shah said the scheme continues in consultation with stakeholder ministries, with potential changes to guidelines or processes if assessments warrant it.
- Roughly 60 to 63 officers have entered through three rounds since 2018, and about 38 to 40 remain in posts across ministries.
- UPSC’s August 2024 call for 45 lateral entrants was withdrawn after criticism over the absence of reservations, following a request from Minister Jitendra Singh that cited the Prime Minister’s emphasis on equity and social justice.
- Officials said any future hiring will be driven by clearly identified institutional needs, with ministries submitting requisitions for specific expertise and levels.
- The government is reviewing the performance and integration of current lateral entrants, and no new nationwide recruitment drive or revised rules have been announced.